Closing device for a container for disposable tissues

ABSTRACT

A closing device ( 10 ) for a container (C) for “disposable products, comprising a stiff frame ( 12 ), fixable to the container (C) at an opening thereof and provided with at least a central hole ( 14 ), and at least one door ( 16 ) hinged to the frame ( 12 ). On the inner surface of the door ( 16 ) there is constrained at least a second container ( 20 ) shaped and sized for containing at least a second product. The second container ( 20 ) is provided with at least one valve ( 22 ) provided with an orifice ( 28 ) for selectively dispensing the second product.

The present invention relates to a closing device for a container,intended in particular for the use on containers for “disposable”tissues.

“Disposable” tissues are generally soaked with disinfectant liquids,deodorants and/or detergents and, as is well known, thanks to theextreme convenience thereof, by now they have become of daily use.

In fact, they are widely used both for cleaning one's hands, withoutwater, and for providing for the cleansing of private parts, especiallyin babies.

Such tissues are generally used in combination with other detergentand/or moisturising products and/or talcum powders that are applied tothe skin after the cleansing carried out by the above tissues.

Such products are sold in special packages or containers, either stiffor flexible, provided with an opening.

A considerable difficulty, especially in cleansing babies, is thereforerepresented by the fact of using together all these products and the“disposable” tissues while holding the baby still.

For such reason, even a simple operation like that of cleansing the babyrequires the presence of at least two people.

Moreover, “disposable” tissues are often used outside the household, forexample on a journey or during the travelling imposed by everyday life.

During this travelling, having to have available also the products to beused in combination, the occupied space and the weights of the bags tobring along is increased.

In the light of the above, the need of having a device like thataccording to the present invention which should allow solving theproblems of the prior art is clear.

The object of the present invention therefore is that of providing aclosing device for a container for disposable tissues, intended inparticular for the use on containers for “disposable” tissues, whichallows to facilitate the cleansing operations on babies.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closing device fordisposable tissues which allows to reduce the space occupied by theproducts used for baby cleansing.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a closing device fordisposable tissues especially simple, handy and inexpensive tomanufacture.

These and other objects according to the present invention are achievedby providing a closing device for a container for disposable tissues asdescribed in claim 1.

Further features of the invention are described in the following claims.

The features and the advantages of a closing device for a container fordisposable tissues according to the present invention will appear moreclearly from the following description, made by way of an indicativenon-limiting example with reference to the annexed schematic drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the closingdevice for a container according to the present invention;

FIG. 1B shows a side elevation view of the device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C shows a top plan view of the device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the closingdevice for a container according to the present invention;

FIG. 2B shows a side elevation view of the device of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C shows a top plan view of the device of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2D shows a perspective bottom view of the device of FIG. 2A shownin usage configuration;

FIG. 2E shows a top plan view of the device shown in the configurationof FIG. 2D;

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the closingdevice for a container according to the present invention;

FIG. 3B shows an enlarged view of the detail indicated with letter B inFIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C shows a perspective view of the device of FIG. 3A shown in usageconfiguration;

FIG. 3D shows an enlarged view of the detail indicated with letter D inFIG. 3C;

FIG. 3E shows a side elevation view of the device shown in theconfiguration of FIG. 3C;

FIG. 3F shows an enlarged view of the detail indicated with letter F inFIG. 3E;

FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the closingdevice for a container according to the present invention;

FIG. 4B shows a top plan view of the device of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is a sectional view obtained along line A-A in FIG. 4B;

FIG. 4D shows a perspective bottom view of the device of FIG. 4A shownin usage configuration;

FIG. 4E shows an enlarged view of the detail indicated with letter E inFIG. 4D;

FIG. 4F shows a plan top view of the device shown in the configurationof FIG. 4D;

FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the closingdevice for a container according to the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a longitudinal sectional view of the device of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C shows an enlarged view of the detail indicated with letter C inFIG. 5B;

FIG. 5D is a cross sectional view of the device of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5E shows an enlarged view of the detail indicated with letter E inFIG. 5D;

FIG. 6A shows a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the closingdevice for a container according to the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a longitudinal sectional view of the device of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C shows an enlarged view of the detail indicated with letter C inFIG. 6B;

FIG. 6D is a cross sectional view of the device of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6E shows an enlarged view of the detail indicated with letter E inFIG. 6D;

FIG. 7A shows a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of the closingdevice for a container according to the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a cross sectional view of the device of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C shows an enlarged view of the detail indicated with letter C inFIG. 7B;

FIG. 7D shows an enlarged view of the detail indicated with letter D inFIG. 7C;

FIG. 8A shows a perspective view of a different embodiment of theclosing device for a container shown in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8B is a cross sectional view of the device of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 8C shows an enlarged view of the detail indicated with letter C inFIG. 8B; and

FIG. 8D shows an enlarged view of the detail indicated with letter D inFIG. 8C.

With reference to the figures, there is shown a closing device 10according to the present invention, applicable to a container C (FIG.1A) intended in particular for containing “disposable” tissues.

The closing device 10, made of a plastic material, substantiallycomprises a stiff frame 12, fixable to the container C at the openingthereof and provided with a central hole 14 through which the productscontained into container C itself can be picked up, and at least onedoor 16, suitably hinged to frame 12 and provided with a tab 18 forfacilitating the opening thereof.

Advantageously, according to the present invention, on the inner surfaceof door 16, that is, the surface intended for covering hole 14 whendevice 10 is in closed configuration, there is constrained at least asecond container 20 shaped and sized for containing at least a secondproduct.

The second product is selected from a moisturising and/or detergentand/or nourishing product and/or a talcum powder and/or a mixturethereof and/or a derivative thereof.

Container 20 is made of a flexible plastic material and is provided withat least one valve 22 having an orifice 28 for selectively dispensingthe product contained therein. Being on the inner surface of door 16,container 20 is only accessible after the first opening of door 16itself, so as to keep the contents thereof intact until the usage isrequired in combination with the tissues located in the outer container.

Container 20 is therefore constrained to door 16 through proper retainermeans 24 represented, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, byspecial projections obtained on the inner surface of door 16 itself andsuitable to be fit-coupled with the outer edge of container 20.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the retainer means areotherwise formed by a plurality of hooking pins 32, made integral withthe door 16 and disposed underneath the door 16 itself. Each hooking pin32 is provided with an enlarged portion 34 (FIGS. 5E and 6C) to retainin an unmovable way the container 20 on the inner surface of door 16.The hooking pins 32 can be four in number and they can be disposed atthe edges of door 16, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, or they can be in anynumber according to the need and they can be disposed in any portion ofdoor 16 itself.

Such retainer means 24 and 32 may in any case be represented byequivalent means, and be obtained on container 20 rather than on door16, without departing from the scope of protection of the presentinvention.

According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 to 8, container 20 isconfigured to remain fixed relative to door 16. To this end, the entireouter edge 26 of the inner surface of door 16 is made in relief, so asto prevent container 20 from going beyond it shifting with respect todoor 16 itself.

In these embodiments, the dispensing valve 22 is arranged at the openingtab 18 or at one edge of door 16, and the orifice 28 thereof faces thebottom surface of door 16 itself. However, the dispensing valve 22 andits orifice 28 for dispensing the product may be disposed in any portionof container 20, without departing from the scope of protection of thepresent invention. The dispensing of the product contained in container20 is therefore obtainable by exerting a specific pressure on thesurface of container 20 itself.

FIGS. 2A-2E show a second embodiment of the closing device according tothe present invention. According to this embodiment, container 20,always constrained to door 16 by the retainer means 24, is howevercapable of shifting relative to the bottom surface of door 16 itself.

More precisely, container 20 is movable between a first rest position,shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C, wherein it is fully underneath door 16, and asecond operating position, shown in FIGS. 2D and 2E, wherein itsdispensing valve 22 is capable of going beyond the outer edge 26 of door16 for allowing the product exit.

In this case, orifice 28 of the dispensing valve 22 faces the topsurface of door 16 (FIG. 2D) and a discontinuity is provided on theouter edge 26 in relief for allowing the dispensing valve 22 itself togo beyond it in order to dispense the product contained in container 20.

FIGS. 3A-3F show a third embodiment of the closing device according tothe present invention. Container 20 is once again capable of shiftingrelative to door 16, so as to allow the dispensing valve 22 to go beyondthe outer edge 26 of door 16 for the product exit.

Unlike the embodiment described hereinbefore, however, orifice 28 of thedispensing valve 22 is on a plane substantially perpendicular to thelying plane of door 16 and in this case it is provided with a cover 30,elastically connected to container 20 and capable of openingautomatically when such container 20 is in the operating position.

FIGS. 4A-4F show a fourth embodiment of the closing device according tothe present invention, fully similar to that shown in FIGS. 2A-2E exceptfor the different shape of the dispensing valve 22 and of orifice 28thereof.

FIGS. 5A-5E show a fifth embodiment of the closing device according tothe present invention, wherein container 20, made integral with door 16and thus not being capable to shift relative to door 16 itself, isprovided with a spout-shaped orifice 28, made with a soft deformableplastic material and closable by means of a rigid plastic projection 36obtained on the outer edge of frame 12 (FIG. 5C). In practice, when door16 is in a closed position, the projection 36 presses against the spout28 thus blocking the exit of the product from container 20.

FIGS. 6A-6E show a sixth embodiment of the closing device according tothe present invention, which differs from the embodiment shown in FIGS.1A-1C merely for the hooking system of container 20 below the door 16and for the position of orifice 28.

FIGS. 7A-7D show a seventh embodiment of the closing device according tothe present invention, fully similar to that shown in FIGS. 6A-6E exceptfor the fact that the orifice 28 can be closed by means of a firstcontrast element 38, made integral with the outer edge of frame 12 (FIG.7A), that engages with a second contrast element or wall 40 obtained oncontainer 20 at the orifice 28 itself or on door 16.

In practice, after the closing of door 16 on, the central hole 14 thefirst contrast element 38 comes into contact with the second contrastelement 40, forming a pressure coupling so as to obstruct the orifice 28and to prevent the accidental exit of the product contained intocontainer 20.

Finally, FIGS. 8A-8D show a different embodiment of the closing deviceshown in FIGS. 7A-7D, wherein contrast element 38 is shaped in aspecific way so as to further improve the closure of container 20, aswell as the dispensing of the product contained therein. More precisely,contrast element 38 is provided with a circular portion or edge 42, andthe contact with the corresponding contrast element 40 provided on valve22 can take place both superficially (contact with the circular edge 42only) and with a partial conical insertion of lower contrast element 38into the upper one 40. The upper contrast element 40 is manufacturedwith a rounded shape in order to improve the product exit from thecontainer 20.

It is important to point out the fact that, preferably in all the aboveillustrated embodiments of the closing device, an adhesive removablefilm (not shown) acting as a quality seal for the product contained intocontainer 20 should be applied on the orifice 28. The adhesive filmshould therefore be removed from the user when container 20 has to beused for the first time, so as to allow the dispensing of said product.

It has been seen that the closing device for a container for disposabletissues according to the present invention achieves the objectsmentioned hereinbefore, allowing to have integrated in the cover of acontainer preferably intended for containing disposable tissues, asecond container for other products to use in combination with suchtissues, so as to make cleansing operations, especially of babies,easier and minimise the space occupied.

In addition, the specific dispensing devices obtained on the secondcontainer, although in their different embodiments, always ensure theintegrity of the content of the second container itself for all thedispensing operations following to the first opening of the tissuecontainer.

The closing device for a container for disposable tissues of the presentinvention thus conceived can be subject to several changes andvariations, all falling within the same inventive concept.

Moreover in the practice, the materials used as well as their sizes andcomponents, can be whatever, according to the technical requirements.

1. A closing device (10) for a container (C) for “disposable” products,comprising a stiff frame (12), fixable to said container (C) at anopening thereof and provided with at least a central hole (14), and atleast one door (16) hinged to said frame (12), on the inner surface ofsaid door (16) being constrained at least a second container (20) shapedand sized for containing at least a second product, characterised inthat said second container (20) is provided with at least one valve (22)provided with an orifice (28) for selectively dispensing said secondproduct.
 2. The closing device (10) according to claim 1, characterisedin that said second product is selected from a moisturising productand/or a detergent product and/or a talcum powder and/or a mixturethereof and/or a derivative thereof.
 3. The closing device (10)according to claim 1, characterised in that said orifice (28) faces thebottom surface of said door (16).
 4. The closing device (10) accordingto claim 3, characterised in that said orifice (28) can be closed bymeans of a first contrast element (38) that engages with a secondcontrast element (40) obtained on said door (16).
 5. The closing device(10) according to claim 3, characterised in that said orifice (28) canbe closed by means of a first contrast element (38) that engages with asecond contrast element (40) obtained on said container (20) at saidorifice (28).
 6. The closing device (10) according to claim 5,characterised in that said first contrast element (38) is provided witha circular portion or edge (42) for the contact with said secondcontrast element (40).
 7. The closing device (10) according to claim 1,characterised in that said orifice (28) faces the top surface of saiddoor (16).
 8. The closing device (10) according to claim 1,characterised in that said orifice (28) is on a plane substantiallyperpendicular relative to the lying plane of said door (16).
 9. Theclosing device (10) according to claim 8, characterised in that saidorifice (28) is provided with a cover (30) elastically connected to saidcontainer (20).
 10. The closing device (10) according to claim 1,characterised in that said orifice (28) is made in the form of adeformable spout closable by means of a rigid plastic projection (36)obtained on the outer edge of said rigid frame (12).
 11. The closingdevice (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that said secondcontainer (20) is constrained to said door (16) through one or moreretainer means (24, 32) suitable to be fit-coupled with the externaledge of said container (20).
 12. The closing device (10) according toclaim 11, characterised in that said one or more retainer means consistsof special projections (24) obtained on the inner surface of said door(16).
 13. The closing device (10) according to claim 11, characterisedin that said one or more retainer means consists of a plurality ofhooking pins (32) made integral with said door (16) and disposedunderneath said door (16).
 14. The closing device (10) according toclaim 13, characterised in that each of said hooking pins (32) isprovided with an enlarged portion (34) to retain in an unmovable waysaid container (20) on the inner surface of said door (16).
 15. Theclosing device (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that theentire outer edge (26) of the inner surface of said door (16) is made inrelief.
 16. The closing device (10) according to claim 15, characterisedin that said container (20) is configured to remain fixed relative tosaid door (16).
 17. The closing device (10) according to claim 15,characterised in that said container (20) is capable of shifting,relative to the bottom surface of said door (16), between a first restposition, wherein said container (20) is fully underneath said door(16), and a second operating position, wherein said dispensing valve(22) is capable of going beyond said outer edge (26) of said door (16).18. The closing device (10) according to claim 17, characterised in thatprovided in relief on said outer edge (26) is at least one discontinuityfor allowing said dispensing valve (22) to go beyond it in order todispensing the product contained in said container (20).
 19. The closingdevice according to 1, characterised in that an adhesive removable film,acting as a quality seal for said second product contained into saidsecond container (20), is applied on said orifice (28).